South Side Giving Circle

Who We Are

“All that you touch you change. All that you change changes you. The only lasting truth is change.”
– Octavia E. Butler, Parable of the Sower

The South Side Giving Circle (SSGC) of Chicago Foundation for Women mobilizes philanthropic resources of women primarily on Chicago’s South Side and in the South Suburbs to invest in the economic, social and political power of Black women and girls in metropolitan Chicago.

We are a fierce group of women paving a path of investment into Women-of-Color-led community initiatives and have awarded close to $210,000 to organizations on the South Side since 2018. We also recognize Black women who are inspiring change through their leadership with leadership awards.

Members engage in various ways. Some members simply invest financially while others attend meetings, site visits, and actively engage with grantees through service and support. All members can nominate potential grantees, however only members who attend the spring grantmaking training and the November decision meeting can participate in the final vote. Networking opportunities also exist through social events planned by SSGC and other CFW events throughout the year.

2023 – 2024 Co-Chairs
Alicia Bailey, Stephanie Gates, Ariel Thomas Sansing, and Tracy Weems

Funding Opportunities

The South Side Giving Circle members have the opportunity to nominate organizations for funding, but organizations may also nominate themselves for members to consider. Please complete this form to share about your organization with the South Side Giving Circle. 

Who We Support

FY2023 Grantees

  • Hustle Mommies
  • M.E.A.N. Girls Empowerment
  • SheWill Legacy
  • The Village Legal and Community Project
  • Free Root Operation
  • Gyrls in the HOOD Foundation
  • The Dreamcatcher Foundation

FY2023 Leadership Awards Recipients

  • Jurema Gorham, Burst Into Books
  • Deborah Muhammad, Trinity United Church of Christ Girl Scouts
  • Tameka Walton, Restored Hope Chicago

FY2022 Grantees

  • A Long Walk Home
  • Girls Like Me Project, INC
  • Gyrls in the HOOD Foundation
  • Ladies of Virtue
  • Polished Pebbles
  • Sisters Network Chicago Chapter

FY2022 Leadership Awards Recipients

  • Camesha Jones, Sista Afya Community Mental Wellness
  • Erin Barnett, Black Girls Dance
  • Brianna Lawrence, Coalition on Urban Girls

Founding Members

Felicia Davis; Jessyca Dudley; Cristal Gary; Phaedra M. Leslie; Melody M. Miller; Nicole Reed; Nicole Robinson

Contact

For more information, contact Vanessa Lee (Program Officer) at vlee@cfw.org.